How to Build an Easy Trellis

A trellis is a structure that is used to support vines or other plants for gardening. You can use a trellis to create vertical interest in flower gardens or pull plants such as blackberry canes or tomatoes off of the ground to prevent fruit spoilage and improve air circulation. Although you can purchase a sturdy wooden or metal trellis at a garden center, you can also build your own trellis. A home-built trellis made of fencing materials is sturdy and simple to build.

Stakes
String
Measuring tape
Mallet
Metal T-shaped fence posts
Fence post driver
16-foot long cattle or hog wire panels
Wire fence fasteners
Fencing pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and mark the location for your trellis by hammering stakes into the ends of the desired trellis rows. Tie string between the stakes to mark the location of the trellis.
- 2
  Measure the length of your cattle or hog wire panels. Standard panels come in 16-foot lengths.
- 3
  Place a T-shaped metal fence post into the ground a distance matching the length of your panels along the length of the string marking your trellis location.
- 4
  Position the cattle panels so that they stand upright against the fence posts. Each cattle panel should touch the fence posts along its ends.
- 5
  Attach the cattle panels to the fence posts using wire fence fasteners. Your trellis will now be sturdy enough to support the weight of your plants.

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